Elections Nova Scotia Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Voter FAQ

How does an election start?

An election starts when the government passes a special Order in Council. This Order fixes the date of the writ and the date of the election. There is a minimum of 30 days before the actual election will happen.

Both dates are significant. Canadian citizens who wish to vote in the election must have lived in Nova Scotia for at least six months before the date of the writ. They must also be at least 18 years old on election day.

After the Order is passed, the Chief Electoral Officer issues the actual writ and sends it to the Returning Officers. Within five days of the date of the writ, each Returning Officer must then issue a proclamation and post it in the Returning Office. For general elections, the proclamation will also be posted in every newspaper in the province. In the case of a by-election, it will run only in the newspapers in that electoral district.

How can I get a map of an electoral district or polling division? How much does it cost?

Elections Nova Scotia has placed a pdf of each electoral district map on the website under "Resources" and distributes a series of hard copy maps, including: 2012 Provincial Electoral District of Nova Scotia map; the most recent general election results map; and individual Electoral District maps with detailed polling division boundaries. All maps can be printed in colour or black and white for the cost of $20.40 (CAD) plus taxes and shipping.

How can I work in the next election? What are the positions and the pay?

Thank you for wanting to be a part of our democratic process!

If you would like to work during this general election period, read on! If you want to work in any of the positions described below, you can contact a local political party and let them know you are interested in being considered or you check out our Employment listings. (http://www.electionsnovascotia.ca/employment).

Listed below are the positions that may be available during an election. Many of the positions are first made available to the people named by the candidates representing the parties that finished first or second in the electoral district in the previous general election. However, if the Returning Officer(RO) is not provided with sufficient qualified individuals, the RO will recruit directly. Contact your local Returning Officer about these or other positions available.

Enumerators
Enumerators work with a partner to carry out enumeration. Enumeration is the process of updating the List of Electors for the election. Enumerators go door to door to collect registration information for all individuals eligible to vote living at each civic address. The number of hours worked by each pair of enumerators is dependent on the area and the number of houses to be visited that are required to visit. Rate of pay: $15.85 per hour

Write-in-Ballot Coordinator
The write-in ballot coordinator organizes efforts to provide voting opportunities to electors who may not be able to vote at a polling location for a number of reasons. The WIB Coordinator works with an Assistant WIB Coordinator as a team when visiting electors at their homes. Duties include scheduling, visiting electors in their home or in residential care centers with write-in ballot kits and ensuring a smooth and confidential voting process for each elector. Hours vary depending on the district in which you are working and the number of electors requiring write-in ballots for voting. Rate of pay: $20.85 per hour

Assistant Write-in-Ballot Coordinator
The assistant to the write-in ballot coordinator assists the WIB Coordinator with coordinating visits to residential care centers as well to the homes of individual electors who may not be able to travel to a polling location. Your focus will be ensuring that electors who otherwise would not be able to vote are given the opportunity to cast a ballot using a write-in ballot kit. Hours will vary depending on the district in which they are working and the number of electors requiring write-in ballots for voting. Rate of pay: $15.85 per hour

Deputy Returning Officer (DRO)
A Deputy Returning Officer also known as a DRO has very specific and important duties. These include providing ballots to electors and witnessing the ballots being deposited into the ballot box. The DRO alone is responsible for the ballots and the voting procedure. On election day, the DRO can expect to work an average of 13 hours. Rate of pay: $15.85 per hour

Poll Clerk
The poll clerk is likely the first voting official an elector will meet when they arrive to vote. Duties include greeting and ‘processing’ electors and ensuring they have the documentation required to be issued a ballot by the DRO. The Poll Clerk’s priority is to help, document and guide an elector through the check-in process to ensure a smooth-running poll. On election day, the Poll Clerk can expect to work an average of 13 hours. Rate of pay: $15.85 per hour

If the Returning Officer is not provided with sufficient qualified individuals by the parties or candidates for these positions, he or she will recruit directly. Contact your local Returning Officer (find your returning officer ) about these or other positions available.

Other positions possibly available are:

Presiding Officer

Deputy Presiding Officer

Ballot Box Courier

Information Officer

Constable

Student Election Officer aged 16-18 years of age

How can I check to see if I am on the List of Electors?

Between elections, you can check to see if you are on the List or whether your information is accurate by contacting Elections Nova Scotia at 1-800-565-1504; or TTY 1-866-774-7074. You will be asked to provide personal information, such as your date of birth, in order for Elections Nova Scotia to determine whether you are the elector wishing to check his/her information. For privacy reasons you can only check your own information.

During an election, you can see if you are on the List or whether your information is accurate by contacting your local Returning Officer.(find your returning officer) You will be asked to provide personal information, such as your date of birth, in order for the Returning Officer to determine whether you are the elector wishing to check his/her information. Elections Nova Scotia also has a line for those who are deaf or hard of hearing TTY 1-866-774-7074.

I want to vote in the next election. Can I?

As long as you are a Canadian citizen who will be at least 18 years old on election day and have lived in Nova Scotia for at least six months before the date of the writ, you can vote.

If you are a Nova Scotia student attending an educational institution, you can vote either in your ordinary residence polling division or at the polling division associated with your residence while going to school. Get more details here: Student Voting.

Where do I vote?

Check your Voter Information Card, which you should receive in the mail about two weeks after an election is called. If you have not received one, contact your local Returning Officer (find your returning officer).

Is my vote secret?

Yes.

Can anyone come behind the voting screen with me?

Yes. If you require assistance casting your vote you can have someone come behind the screen with you. Also, parents may bring a child with them to have them become familiar with the process.

Can homeless people vote?

Can prisoners vote?

I was told my employer has to give me three hours off to vote. Is that true?

Yes and no. You are entitled to have three consecutive hours available to vote while the polls are open on election day, but the time you take must respect your employer's needs. For further information, see discussion of time off to vote.

Is there any leeway in voting after 8:00 pm on election day?

The Deputy Returning Officer at the polling station will take note of how many people are still waiting to vote at 8:00pm. The polls may stay open until these people have voted. Anyone arriving after 8:00pm cannot vote.

What is a mobile polling station?

If required, a separate polling division is created for one or more long-term care facilities. A Returning Officer can establish a mobile polling station which is like a "traveling polling station" which goes to each facility for no less than 3 hours to allow voting by electors at the facilities.

Candidates and Parties FAQ

Can a candidate have more than one official agent?

No. Section 168(2) of the Elections Act contemplates more than one official agent for a party but no equivalent provision is in theElections Act for candidates. Section 170 - 171 of the Act speaks in terms of one person having this responsibility.

What is a registered party?

A registered party is a political party which has been registered by the Chief Electoral Officer under section 180 of the Elections Act.

Political Contributions FAQ

May I make a donation to a political party in Nova Scotia?

Yes, an individual resident in Nova Scotia may make a political contribution to a party, a candidate or an electoral district association. Organizations (corporations, partnerships, unions, etc.) may not.

Is there a limit on the amount I can contribute?

Yes, an individual can contribute a maximum of $5,000 annually to each registered party, its candidates or its electoral district associations.

Can corporations, partnerships and trade unions make political contributions?

No, only an individual resident in Nova Scotia can make political contributions.

Why is there a limit on contributions I can make when none previously existed?

In 2007, public funding for registered political parties was introduced. At the same time a limit on contributions and rules about who can contribute were established.

Can a political contribution be made in cash?

Yes, however cash contributions are restricted to a maximum of $100.

Who may accept a political contribution?

Only the official agent of the recognized party, candidate or electoral district association may accept a political contribution.

Can I loan money to a recognized party, candidate or electoral district?

Yes, however you need to be aware of a number of rules regarding loans. The most important is that a loan that is not repaid is deemed to be a political contribution and subject to the $5,000 annual contribution limit.

What if I contribute more than $5,000 annually?

The law makes it your responsibility not to contribute more than allowed. The law prohibits registered political parties, candidates or electoral district associations from accepting contributions that exceed the limits.

Where do I find the law on political contributions?

The law regarding political contributions is in the Elections Act. Also refer to a guideline on the contributions rules prepared by the Chief Electoral Officer.

What levels of public funding do political parties receive?

Nova Scotia Election Information

Does Nova Scotia have fixed election dates?

No. The government can call an election at any time by passing an Order in Council calling an election. Election day is always on a Tuesday, not less than 30 days from the date of the writ.

What is the maximum time a government can hold office?

The House of Assembly can continue for five years with an extra 40 days after the issuing of the writs for a general election.

How many Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are there in Nova Scotia?

There are 51 elected MLAs in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly; one from each electoral district. The next Provincial General election will be held in 51 electoral districts as determined by the 2012 Report of the Electoral Boundaries Commission.

What is an Electoral District?

An electoral district, often called a riding or constituency, is a geographical area whose residents are represented by one member in the House of Assembly. Electoral district boundaries are set out in the House of Assembly Act.

Who is my MLA?

Is my MLA still my MLA during an election?

Technically, no. The passing of the Order in Council calling the general election dissolves the House of Assembly. If there is no House, there can be no members. The Executive Council (Cabinet) remains intact.

General FAQ

What is the difference between a by-election and an election?

A by-election is held in just one particular electoral district to fill a vacancy in the House of Assembly because a member has resigned, been expelled, or died. An election, also called a general election, is held in all electoral districts at the same time.

Why do we have a List of Electors?

Qualified electors in Nova Scotia are entitled to one vote each. By maintaining a List of Electors we can ensure votes are being cast fairly. It also helps us prepare statistics that tell how many eligible Nova Scotians are voting. And the List speeds up and simplifies the voting process for voters at the polls.

How is the List of Electors maintained?

We update it using many different sources. On an ongoing basis, Elections Nova Scotia selectively uses data from a number of sources including the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Vital Statistics, the Nova Scotia Civic Address File, Elections Canada, municipal elections and field work done by Returning Officers and Elections Nova Scotia staff. Many electors contact our office directly to be registered on the List. During enumeration we go physically from door-to-door to update the List.

Is my information on the List of Electors kept private?

Yes. Personal information on the List of Electors is only used for election purposes.

When was the last general election in Nova Scotia? How many have there been?

Nova Scotia has had 40 general elections. The most recent was on May 30, 2017.

Can politicians advertise when no election has been called?

Yes. The Elections Act does not prohibit advertising outside an election period. However, all forms of advertising are subject to the rule that every advertisement relating to an election that promotes or opposes any candidate or recognized party shall bear the words "authorized by the official agent for [name of candidate or recognized party]" and must indicate on whose behalf the advertisement was published.

Are there any rules governing the political activities of federal public service employees?

The Public Service Employment Act, provides a new regime for governing the political activities of federal public servants. The Act recognizes the need to balance the principle of an impartial federal public service with the rights of public service employees to engage in political activities. For more information, please visit: http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/plac-acpl/index-eng.htm or contact the Public Service Commission of Canada's Political Activities Directorate at 1-866-707-7152, by facsimile at 613-995-7699 or by email at pa-ap@psc-cfp.gc.ca

Are there any rules governing the political activities of provincial public service employees?